leectn

Great post!! I was in high shcool in the late 70's and early 80's and remember the great teams that came out of Jeff. It was great to me to have a neighbor county be the state champ (does not feel that way with Maryville, by the way). There are some good players on your team, but there is no doubt that an increase in numbers would make a huge difference. In any event, I wish Jeff the best of luck the rest of the year.

To give you a break from stupidity, I would have to get you out of Jeff Co. Not going to happen as long as you are there.

Let's talk about no class. I saw many students from your "jungle" (what that has to do with Patriots is anybody's guess) keep the Morristown people in the parking lot. They were keeping their cars bumper to bumper so that the Morristown people could not get in the flow of traffic and when all of the cars were gone one mustang stopped in the middle of the road to stop us from leaving and some of the jungle stood in the middle of the road also. Poor losers is my guess, but you should be used to that after last year. Does not speak well for a 5A school to be by beaten by a 4A school. I have a feeling last night was just a foreshadowing of things to come for Jeff.

What about Jeff's o line? There are four seniors and a junior listed as starters -- they should be solid up front. I have heard that McFall and the starting Fullback are hurt, but do not know if the rumor is true. Anyone with different information? West did show some fantastic ability against Swain County, but I do not know how strong Swain is in comparison to the other competition we will face. I do know that our strength is in our numbers and West is able to play enough players to keep fresh. I think that the game will be close early, but West will pull away in the second half. I see West scoring at least 30 points. If Jeff trys to play our game they will not be able to score 14. This has been a heated rivalry for years and I am looking forward to the game. GO TROJANS!!

Tyler is big, but new to football. He listed as a 2nd string outside linebacker and is on a few special teams. I do not think he will see a lot of playing time early, unless West is way ahead. Also, he has to learn the position. If he would learn to be physical he could be one of the better players, but right now he seems afraid of the hit (given or taken). I know the coaches are excited about his size and would like to see him become a star, but it is up to him.

Not knowing anything about Melrose makes posting difficult, but after last weeks game against West I am very impressed with the Maryville team. From the West side, we were not able to get anything going all night long. The few plays that worked were runs up the middle by the fullbacks. If Melrose can run up the middle, then they might be able to move the ball on Maryville. There were so many passes blocked at the line that I lost count. There is no doubt, in East Tennessee, about the Maryville team--definitely the yard stick we have to measure too. It did not seem to matter how our offense line blocked there was always too many people for the backs to get through. On defense, we played fairly well. However, if we held Maryville on the first two downs, they converted on the third (and if we held on the first three, they converted on the fourth). We could not stop them from doing what they needed to do. They excuted every play better than any team I have seen this year. Even when we had the back stopped in the backfield, he found a way to break tackles or make the tackler miss to pick up possitive yardage. The quarterbacks kept their head and were never flustered no matter the down or distance. A very impressive team. Again, I do not know anything about Melrose, but know that Maryville will execute their game plan. I beleive it will be a good game and hope it is televised.

A very good analysis, but it does not mean anything. On any given night any team can lose. At the MoWest/Knox West game, we were about to close the door and had a few too many fumbles (second effort is great unless it results in a fumble). Knox West did not do anything to us, but we made it a close game with a few too many mistakes. Also, what has been scored in the past is just that past. All that matters is what happens Friday night. There is no doubt to any of us in Morristown that Maryville will come to play. There is no doubt that Maryville will come to win. BUT we are also going to be playing with the same goal. I hope Maryville is overconfident (do not see that happening) because that will make it an easier game for West. I still believe it will be close (has to be for West). I do not see Maryville running all over West (although it is possible) or West running all over Maryville (that is possible also). Close game and the best team will come up with the "W."

We appreciate the sentiment, but I do not believe that anyone on the Maryville squad is intimidated. They are the intimidaters until someone takes them down. Too much history on their side to be intimidated by any team they face. The road goes through Maryville and has for a number of years. There is no way they can be intimidated (beaten perhaps, but never intimidated).

First let me state that I am a West fan. I believe in the West team and the West coaching staff. I have no doubt that we will be ready to play and will give the Rebels all that we have.. That being said, there is no doubt that all roads to the ship go through Maryville. Coach Quarles has built an amazing program and his team is always ready to play (you cannot argue with their record). It is only fitting that we measure our success and ability against Maryville. There has not been a better program in recent years. It is unforuntate that this is the semi-finals. There is not going to be a better 4A game and the state game will be anticlimatic no matter who wins. I feel it will be a close game, but know that if West plays their game and is able to keep it close we will win. However, if Maryville gets on a role and puts us down early, it will be a tough fight to come back. I see a repeat of '03 with West winning by a field goal (hopefully the ball will cooperate and go through the uprights this week).

They have not been overconfident with any team we have played yet. At this point in the year and the oponnent getting prgressively better, Coach Woods will not allow them to be overconfident. He has coached them up and gotten them ready, but I do not see the team looking past this game (may prove incorrect -- this will be seen on the field).

I have not had any opportunities to see the South team, but I know the West team. Our spped is average at best. We have a few very quick position players, but this years team does not worry about speed. Our game is a power game from our line to the backs. Ewing is a big back that has respectable speed, but he has learned how to use that big body. I have never seen a high school back go down and take the hits off the pads the way he does. There is no way to arm tackle him. If South does not wrap up, they will not stop Ewing. Our fullbacks are huge and even more punishing than Ewing. They love to hit and have made good blocks and runs all year. The o-line has gotten progressively better and are reaching their peak. They know where to be and know how to open the holes the backs need. Our defense is a swarming defense and moves to the ball extremely well. The line is able to control what the offense can and cannot do. They are very good at getting off their blockers to make a play and are able to open up lanes for the backers. All of the linebackers are extremely physical and do not care to hit. The secondary has improved all year and have been able to position themselves to make the necessary play. Forgot the QB -- he is a very quick player and knows the offense. He rarely makes mistakes and those that are made do not usually cost West anything. His arm strength, accuracy, and confidence have improved dramatically through the year and he has become a true leader on the field. Overall, West has a very sound team. Again, I have not seen South, but at this point in the playoffs you are where you have played and deserve to be. There is no doubt that South is a good team or they would have already lost. However, they are going to have to play a physical game to have a change against West. In any event, good luck to both teams. Hopefully, West will come out the with the "W" and the drive home will be an anticlimatic event.

There is no doubt that Friday night will be a big football night in East Tennessee. Also, the West/South game will be a tough contest, but West has more experience in the coaching staff at this level of the game (not kicking South's coaches) and I believe that the coaches will make the difference on Friday. Coach Woods and his staff believe in their team and will give their best effort to these kids. That effort has produced an undefeated season this year with players who want to play and please the coach. I see West winning this game because of the players abilities and the way they play the game. It will be smash mouth football and West will come in to prove they deserve to go on. If South makes any mistakes West will capitalize on them. However, with our defense I do not think South will be able to do the same. As for Maryville/Central -- there is no doubt that Maryville will be ready to play, but Central has nothing to lose. They will come in to try and kill the giant and if it is close they will have a chance. I see an upset, but it will not be South/West.

It is almost impossible to compare identical opponents. There are too many variables on game night to think that one team is stronger than another based on what or how they played the same team. That being said, when Morristown West played Cherokee we started our second string quarterback (a sophomore) due to an injury. At half time the score was 24-0 and looked like a blow out was comming, but Cherokee made great adjustments at half time that allowed them to keep the ball for almost all of the third quarter (no score, but they were able to move the ball 3-4 yards a carry). Our offense got a little cold after their third quarter drive, but was good enough to win the game. I believe it will be a tough game, but West should come out on top. West should win by at least a touchdown.

They are one of the heaviest penalized teams in 4A and could indicate a lack of discipline. It would be interesting to find out where the penalties have been called (home vs. away). I have seen all the games and it seems that we do well away, but have to fight the refs at home. Friday night's game against Johnson Co was interesting (read ridiculous). From a West fan's stand point it seems as though Johnson Co was given the benefit of the doubt. Their players were extremely agressive (mouthing and gestures). Many times JC tried to get our starters into something, but other than the talk nothing major happened. The refs did what they had to do to keep control of the game, but it was always against the home team for standing up for themselves. In any event, it was a win for West and a good game. I believe we will be ready for Tennessee High. The seniors are out to prove last year was a fluke and do not have any desire to loose. Should be a good game.

I have seen the bracket, but do not understand how South can have the home field if West wins out. West is ranked higher than South (2nd in the state according to the AP) and that alone should be enough to get home field. Furthermore, West will be undefeated compared to one loss for South. However, that plays into the next week when Maryville (1st according to the AP), if they win out, will have to travel to South/West. In any event, it is going to be a dog fight to make the state. No one in East/Middle Tennessee is going to have a cake walk. Whoever wins will have to play their best and hope for some mistakes from their opponents.

You've got two of them correct, but I do not think South has a chance against West. It may be close, but West will pull it out in the end. Also, Maryville is going to have a hard time if they have to face Red Bank again. I see Red Bank pulling this out and facing West for the chance at the state game.

After the way East played last week it is hard to pick against them, but there is alot on the line and they are at Boone. Boone is a quick team, but not very big. If East gets the big guys up front to play like they did last week, Boone does not have a chance. However, if it is close Boone will pull it out.

Unfortunately for East, Greeneville has something to prove this week after the loss to West last week. I always hope the Morristown teams win (unless they are playing each other, then it is always West), but i think Greeneville is going to come in on fire and will end up pulling this one out. It is unfortunate for East that they have to face Greeneville after the loss to West. Greeneville will want to prove that they can beat a Morristown team and East is that team. If East plays as hard as a team as Ramsey plays as an individual they have a chance. However, after the disappointing loss to Cherokee, I do not think they will be up for Greeneville. Again, Greeneville has something to prove and they will try to prove it against East.

When it is East vs West all bets are off. I believe the game will go to West, but the separation will not come before half time. East is going to be pumped and will play on pure emotion in the first half. However, the West offensive line is going to control the line and the backs are going to run all over East in the second half. The West defense is going to be solid and stop East from moving the ball. The bad thing for East is the fact they won last year. The West players are out to prove that was a fluke and will not happen this year. Coach Woods will not pile on the points, but there is not a West fan who does not want to see a big win.

Maryville did drop Morristown West -- we were told there was a scheduling conflict. Maryville had two teams on the same date and told Mo West not to come.

Maryville cancelled the Freshmen game against Morristown West. Apparently there was a scheduling conflict.